/lit/ - Literature

Seriously, cheapest on amazon is $40 and it goes up to over $100

What to do to prepare myself to read this?

Hello /lit/! Tired of bad philosophy threads? Tired of that reading slump? Then welcome yourself to the refuge of The Recognitions Reading Group of 2019! One of the greatest works of American literature ever to exist is here (no matter how large and intimidating it may be.) Now is the time to start the new year off right with a downright classic of Post-Modernism, The Recognitions by William Gaddis. This is the entry way to John Barth, Thomas Pynchon, and many others within the Post-Modern cannon. Praised by authors such as William Gass (who wrote the introduction for the Dalkey Archive Edition which I am reading from and highly suggest you read yourself if you have this edition) and Jonathan Franzen. I hope all of you have your own copy (it is currently $15 from either Amazon or Dalkey Archives website) and if not you can probably get one at your local library.

Ok now that all the intro stuff is out of the way, lets dive right in! I am on page 13 but I will restart just for the sake of it. Make sure to take notes, use sticky notes and such because it is a loooong journey and I've only gotten to Chapter 3 before moving onto something else. I would like to be one of the few people who finishes this thing if only for the bragging rights of course.

Since /lit/ threads take forever to die and you see this in the future and want to join in and we happen to be far ahead, just go to the catalog or the archive and start from there. I'll try to post the link to the earlier threads (although if someone else does it then thats cool too.) PLEASE put a spoiler by any sort of important info as to not be a jackass. Also I don't have the penguin edition in the picture posted I just think its the coolest cover of the book.

>Favorite Part so far
>Favorite sentence
>Favorite character
>How do you think the book will end?

Be honest, is this book widely read by anyone outside /lit/?

What should be read before attempting this tome? I know there are countless literary allusions and references, and I was curious what I should read beforehand.

we rank the greatest postmodern tomes

Wanted to read this book for a couple years but never attempted it due to hearing you needed a strong understanding of both modern art and the Bible. How much does this knowledge truly enhance the book?

ITT: Overrated books

What's your opinion on pic related, /lit/?

This version master race.

'—But this book is about religion, said a sub-editor, standing aside for the tall man in the black Homburg to pass. —It’s Buddhism.
—But it’s by a Jew, said the other, standing aside.
—Well, I’ve told him if he’ll change his hero from a Jew to a homosexual, we might accept it.
—But that’s the way it was in the first place.'

17
The recognitions by William Gaddis. Almost through but goddamn this has to be one of the most challenging reads I've ever embarked on. I dislike how Gaddis presents the dialogue making it difficult for the reader to keep track of who's speaking, some good philosophical speeches every hundred pages or so, great prose. The theme of authenticity first resonated my interest since I'm also an aspiring artist.

I read it in early high school and only enjoyed it because the semi-autist narrator was relatable to an anxious, awkward teen. I'm not sure that I would enjoy it if I read it again.

Then again, it's a relatively easy read and you'd be better off reading it for yourself rather than asking strangers on the 'net.